Top 20 Most Common Trees in Singapore

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Top 20 Most Common Trees in Singapore

Singapore's tropical climate and rich soil create an ideal environment for a variety of native trees. Three emblematic trees in Singapore include Simpoh ayer, Corn plant, and Peacock flower. These trees hold great significance both culturally and ecologically within the region. Their presence adds to the biodiversity and beauty of Singapore's landscape.

Most Common Trees

Simpoh ayer

Simpoh ayer (Dillenia suffruticosa) is a large evergreen shrub that is an effective colonizer of sandy soils since its deep roots can reach underground water. The plant flowers perpetually with five-petalled yellow blooms. The large leaves are commonly used in Southeast Asia for wrapping and eating food.

Corn plant

Corn plant (Dracaena fragrans) is an evergreen, slow-growing perennial shrub native to tropical Africa. Also, it is a classic houseplant, grown in Europe since the 1800s. Its glossy green foliage that resembles corn leaves grow on top of a thick cane, which is why the plant is sometimes called “false palm tree.”

Rubber tree

Rubber tree (Ficus elastica) is a large tree with wide, oval, glossy leaves. Its milky white latex was used for making rubber before Pará rubber tree came into use, hence the name. Rubber tree is an ornamental species, often grown as a houseplant in cooler climates.

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Peacock flower

4. Peacock flower

The peacock flower, Barbados' national flower, is a striking ornamental plant commonly grown in public and private gardens. Although the seeds of this flower are toxic if consumed, the fruits are edible. Some parts of this plant are used as medicine by Indonesians and West Indians. This plant is toxic to dogs and cats but provides food for butterflies and bees.

Sea hibiscus

5. Sea hibiscus

Sea hibiscus (Talipariti tiliaceum) is a flowering plant species commonly cultivated as an ornamental plant. The flowers of sea hibiscus are bright yellow with a red center. As the blossoms age, the flowers turn to a darker orange before falling off the plant.

Tropical almond

6. Tropical almond

Tropical almond is grown commonly as an ornamental tree. It is prized for its ability to provide shade with its large leaves. These leaves are commonly used in aquariums by fish breeders for their ability to lower the pH and heavy metal content of the water. Although the fruit of the tropical almond is edible, the taste is slightly acidic.

Jackfruit

Jackfruit (Artocarpus heterophyllus) is a tree species related to the fig tree native to India and Malaysia. The fruit produced by this tree, the jackfruit is a common component of culinary dishes around the world. The ripe fruit has a sweet taste and is often served raw in cold dishes.

Fiddle-leaf fig

8. Fiddle-leaf fig

As its name implies, the fiddle-leaf fig has leaves that are shaped like a violin. Wildly popular as a houseplant, the Ficus lyrata makes an architectural statement with its unique and lush leaves. However, please be aware that this plant is finicky and can be hard to keep alive.

Sea poison tree

9. Sea poison tree

Sea poison tree, or Barringtonia asiatica, is an ornamental tree with box-shaped fruit. The trees are native to the mangroves of the Indian Ocean and the fruit is carried on the ocean currents. All parts of this tree are poisonous.

Mango tree

Mango tree is a large tree native to the Indian subcontinent. It is most well-known for the tropical fruit it produces, and mango is the national fruit of India, Pakistan, and the Philippines. Mango tree can also be used for wood after the tree’s fruit production is over. This type of wood is highly prized for making musical instruments.

Indian Laurel

11. Indian Laurel

Indian Laurel (Ficus microcarpa) is a fig tree originating in China. The indian Laurel attracts the fig wasp pollinator. In some east Asian cultures, it is believed the indian Laurel is a meeting place for spirits.

Red frangipani

12. Red frangipani

Red frangipani (Plumeria rubra) is a deciduous shrub or small tree native to Central and South America. It is widely cultivated as an ornamental plant in tropical and subtropical climates. All parts of the plant are toxic when ingested due to their high alkaloid content.

Sacred fig

Sacred fig or Ficus religiosa, gets its name because it is considered sacred to Buddhism, Jainism, and Hinduism. Although a member of the mulberry family, the sap of the sacred fig may cause skin reactions if handled.

Shrub vinca

14. Shrub vinca

Shrub vinca is a woody shrub native to Myanmar, India, and the nearby Andaman Islands. It tolerates a range of soil types as long as it receives the right amount of water. Shrub vinca is cultivated for its attractive flowers and ability to bloom almost year-round. It cannot, however, tolerate cold temperatures at all.

Yakooro

The Barringtonia racemosa was also called yakooro by the indigenous people in some parts of Australia. It can be found in tropical areas around the globe. The roots, bark, and seeds are highly toxic and can be thrown into the water to shock fish. Yakooro bark can also be used to create ropes and cords.

Papaya

Papaya is a fruit-bearing plant that originates from Central America. The fruits are edible and sweet and juicy when ripe. An enzyme collected from the milky sap is used as a meat softener, which if ingested may be toxic. Keeping a papaya plant in your garden will welcome many birds to your landscape.

Durian

Durian (Durio zibethinus) is a tropical plant from Southeast Asia. It bears large, spiny, edible fruit which has become a major export crop of the region. The fruit is best known for its pungent smell, which provokes opposing reactions, ranging from near-addiction to revulsion. In some areas, it has even been banned from public transport and hotels.

Curry leaf tree

18. Curry leaf tree

The leaves of the curry leaf tree (Murraya koenigii) are frequently used in Indian and Thai cooking. They are stewed, roasted, and used in soups and sauces. The plant's genus name was given in honor of Johann Andreas Murray, a Swedish physician who published an influential work on the properties of plants.

Rambutan

Rambutan (Nephelium lappaceum) is a fruit-bearing evergreen tree native to Southeast Asia. Rambutan grows best in tropical climates and yields edible fruit. This species attracts bees and other pollinators and its fruit has a pleasant aroma.

African tulip tree

20. African tulip tree

African tulip tree (*Spathodea campanulata*) is an evergreen tree that grows best in full sunlight and well-drained soil. African tulip tree is shade-tolerant. It is a fast-growing tree and a prolific seed producer, dispersing seeds that can germinate without light, giving it the potential to become invasive in some areas.

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